Chapter Thirty-Nine

Selina woke several hours before dawn and set to motion getting herself ready to leave her gilded cage. She was washed and dressed by the time the sun broke through the dark sky. Making her way to the kitchen she took care of feeding the tiger cub. She then picked up the phone and called a cab. Stepping outside she stood and waited purse over her shoulder tiger in hand she considered the day ahead. Several minutes later a cab pulled up and she slid into the back seat.

"Where to mamm?"

"The Rose Café," she replied.

The cab pulled away from Daggett's penthouse and headed into the city.

Selina grabbed a light breakfast, stepped across the street into a store, picked up a few things and then hailed a cab. She gave the driver her directions and sat back to relax hoping that the day would pass slowly. Wanting to be held in the arms of her husband, knowing that the day would be disturbed by one question, which she felt certain of the answer to. Her body felt different to her in a way she couldn't explain.

As the cab driver pulled up in front of the gate outside Wayne Manor she paid him and got out of the car. The gate opened and purse over shoulder bag dangling for her wrist and tiger cub in hand she made her way towards the front door. She was aware she was being watched but ignored it. She made a show of her being there, so that those watching the manor knew without a doubt it was she.

The door opened and Alfred drew her close in a hug. He then kissed both of her cheeks in a family greeting. "Good morning Madame. I'm glad you're safe."

"Morning Alfred. Is he up?"

"Yes, Madame he's been up since dawn," Alfred replied as she stepped into the manor. He closed the door behind her.

Selina set the tiger cub down and crossed the hall to the study feeling drawn there. Opening the door she was met by his gaze. He stood in the middle of the room and it looked as if he'd been pacing. She dropped her things by on the floor and in two strides she was in his warm embrace. He pulled her against him leaving not an inch between them as if he were afraid she might slip away. His lips trailed down her neck before some order of control was found.

"I missed you. Part of me was afraid you wouldn't come back. That he'd…" Bruce began.

"Shh, I'm here Bruce. I'm home," she whispered before she buried her face in his shoulder and cried.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."

"I know, lets leave it outside again. Here it's just you and me. The rest of the world doesn't exist," she said.

Bruce nodded his agreement and brushed her tears away. "Have you eaten?"

"Yes," she replied.

"Okay, I'm going to get breakfast. You go ahead and get settled. We'll go from there," Bruce whispered.

Selina nodded and kissed him briefly before letting him go. Bruce let her go despite his desire to kiss her back. She disappeared out the door taking her things with her. He waited a few minutes before moving down the hall to the kitchen where he found Alfred already busy fixing his meal.

Selina sat in her room dressed in he own clothes, relieved to be free of all the trappings of Daggett's control. She turned her attention to the bag she'd dropped on the floor yet again. Sighing she got up and pulled out a small blue box and stared at it for a moment. She tossed it back in the bag. Crossed the room and sat back down on the bed for a few minutes before pulling it out again. Might as well get this over with now. No, sense letting it hang over my head all day, she thought to herself. Her mind made up she moved down the hall to the bathroom.

Selina stared at the results her green eyes full of wonder. Her hand brushed over her midsection tentatively as she put the results aside. She blinked back tears not sure how she felt. Comfort, relief, fear, pain, love, peace, joy, anger all swept over her like a crashing wave. She didn't know how to react she had known the outcome before hand, but to see it now, made it real.

"I'm sorry," she whispered though she didn't specify what for. Giving the apology had taken more than she could handle. Drying her eyes Selina checked her appearance in the mirror before throwing out both box and test. She stepped out of the bathroom and made her way to the kitchen.

Bruce was still in the middle of breakfast as Selina entered the kitchen. He looked up and noticed her nervous smile. "Hey, are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Well, what do you want to do today?"

"Rest mostly, and figure out how to break contact with Daggett safely."

"Did they see you come in?"

"Yes."

"Then follow the plan I gave you last time we spoke. It will work out."

"I hope so. I can't afford to be near him any longer."

"I know. Did you pick up a home test or do we need to go out later?"

"I got one," she replied as she walked over to the tale where he sat.

"Okay, then at some point today we'll know."

"Yes, we will know. When ever you're ready to hear it."

"I'm ready," he assured her pulling her down onto his lap so they were face to face.

Selina turned away from his intense gaze and looked to the floor. "We need a nursery," she said calmly.          

Bruce blinked.

"I didn't want it hanging over me all day," she whispered.

Bruce brushed her hair away from her face as he lifted her chin so that her eyes met his. "How do you feel about this? I mean it is rather soon."

"I'm okay with it. I mean it has been five years."

"I know, but we just got married and now…"

"Its time Bruce. You wanted me out of there and now I have to be, I'm fine. Just don't expect me to settle down."

"I wouldn't want you to Selina," he whispered before he kissed her. Selina kissed him back eagerly, needing his acceptance. His hands caressed her arms and then brushed over her abdomen where his child was safely hidden. Our child, he corrected as his lips parted hers. He stared at her amazed.

"I know," she whispered. "I don't know if I want to laugh or cry. I'm so mixed up," she whispered.

"Mixed up about what Mrs. Selina? Alfred asked as he came into check on them.

"She's pregnant Alfred," Bruce said still amazed by the words.

"That's wonderful news sir," Alfred said.

"Yes, it is," Selina agreed reaching her decision on the matter.

"I take it you'll be staying the Madame?"

"No, but soon," Selina replied.

"Be careful Mrs. Selina."

"I will Alfred."

"Do master Dick and Miss Zanah know?"

"Not yet, old friend," Bruce replied.

"We'll tell them tonight over dinner. For now I only want to rest. It's been a long, tiring week," Selina said.

"Rest is something we will have today," Bruce assured her.

"I'm sorry for the game I've got us stuck in," she said. Selina took the toast and bacon off of her husband's plate and ate it.

"We agreed not to talk about that today. It stays outside remember?"

"Are you hungry Madame?" Alfred asked interrupting them.

"A little," she confessed.

"Eat what you want Selina, I'm done."

"Thanks," she said and she finished off Bruce's breakfast and his glass of juice.

"I'll make more for both of you and bring it up as soon as it's done," Alfred said.

Selina nodded her approval before turning her attention back to her original conversation with Bruce. "I know, but…"

"No buts, this is not your fault. Yes you put yourself there but how could you know how I'd react. Its not like we planned for any of this to happen," Bruce said to quiet her need to lay blame upon herself.

"You're right," she admitted.

"Now, lets but him and the city aside for now and enjoy our day off as we said."

Selina nodded her head and stood up moving to leave. Bruce got up and taking her hand in his he moved upstairs to his room. She curled up in the large bed and closed her eyes. Bruce laid don next to her and drew her close to him. Closing his own eyes he let sleep claim him.

Selina lay awake and heard Alfred enter the room with their breakfast but made no move to get up not wanting to disturb his sleep knowing he needed to rest more than she did having no doubt that he'd spent most of the week up late and beating on his punching bag.  Alfred set her food down nest to her and then withdrew from the room. Selina picked up toast and bacon and ate it slowly.

Bruce's eyes opened at the smell of fresh food and he sat up. Selina smiled as she sat up to eat the rest of her meal.

"Why didn't you wake me?" he asked.

"I knew you needed to rest. Besides you looked too peaceful to disturb."

Bruce nodded and turned his attention to his own meal once they were done eating he pulled her into his arms and drew in the smell of her hair before kissing her forehead. His lips trailed down her face to meet hers as his hands sought out her skin wanting all of her. Selina moaned in approval and drew him closer yielding control to him.

Mean While…

Zanah made her way downstairs to find breakfast. Upon entering the kitchen she found Dick sitting at the table already eating.

"Good morning Miss Zanah."

"Morning Alfred. How are Selina and Bruce?"

"Resting right now I think that things with work themselves out soon."

"I hope so, I've never seen him so frustrated," Dick said.

"He's worried about her, and he should be. Daggett is not a man to trust. His words are of no value," Zanah said.

"Not to mention the man has tried to kill her twice already," Dick said.

"She deserves him," Barbara said with disgust.

"I'll hear not another word against Mrs. Selina. Master Bruce loves her Barbara and that should be enough for you."

"She's a criminal she had no place in this house," Barbara snapped.

"That's enough girl," Zanah snapped her blue eyes full of warning.

"Dick…"

"I told you before Babs he's happy it doesn't matter who she is," Dick replied.

Barbara grabbed her breakfast and withdrew from the kitchen seeing as her opinion was unwelcome. They're trouble both of them why don't any of them see it?

"You okay Al?"

"Yes, just disappointed I had hoped my niece would be more understanding in the matter."

"Don't sweat it Al. She's changed it's not anything you did or didn't do."

"Dick's right Alfred who she becomes is not your fault. She is in the end who she chooses to be."

"I know but I can' understand what's gotten into her. She was taught much better than this and its upsetting to see her so disrespectful and cruel."

"I know, it's hard to believe that she and I used to be together," Dick whispered. "Some times I wonder what I ever saw in her."

Zanah said nothing more she turned her attention to her breakfast and ate in silence.

"Zanah did you want to go back to the park today with a couple of sketch books and pencils?"

Zanah blinked as she considered the question. Part of her worried about being found again, but she let that slide. "Yes, that would be nice."

"Okay, after breakfast I'll grab the stuff we'll need and we'll head out."

"Be back for dinner sir, Master Bruce has something that he wants to discuss with both of you."

"Sure thing Al," Dick replied.

The two of them finished their meal and then Dick disappeared upstairs to get a couple sketchbooks and some pencils. Zanah stood in the hall waiting for his return and was fixed by a cold glare.

"Why don't you just leave Zanah? You don't belong here and neither does Selina."

"I'm not leaving anytime soon girl and neither is she. So, get used to it. He loves her and she loves him they are the same stay out of their way."

"They are nothing alike," Barbara snapped. "She's a criminal and so are you."

"Go back to school girl before you get hurt. I've been tolerant of your disrespect. I've accepted your rudeness but if you continue to meddle in things that have nothing to do with you I will lose my patients."

Dick came down the stairs and saw the stand off between them but said nothing. "Ready to go?" He asked Zanah.

She nodded and the two of them walked out of the manor. Leaving Barbara there where she stood. She glared at the door and moved into the kitchen dumping her dishes she withdrew back up to her room.

Else where…

Dick and Zanah entered the park, and sketchbook in hand Zanah set to the task of drawing the animals in the zoo. Dick watched her work for a few minutes before opening his own drawing tablet and setting pencil to paper. He drew a couple quick sketches of the Unicorn and the gryphon before turning his attention back to Zanah. Then putting pencil to paper he began the careful work of sketching the focused young woman.   

He started with her face in profile. The slope of her forehead and then the shape of her nose, lips and chin. He turned his attention then to drawing her eyes and hair. Detailing the face fully before turning his attention back to the rest of the image. The curve of her neck and the arch of her shoulders. He put the rest of a skeleton sketch of her frame together before turning his attention once again to detail. Filing in the bare framework with her clothing, drawing the sketchpad in her lap including the image of the Unicorn on her page. Then drawing her hand and the pencil.

He added shading to the image and then turned his attention back to the exhibit sketching out the image she was so busy trying to capture with pencil and paper. Dick finished the image and made a note of the colors in the image deciding to draw it again later and create it in full color.

Flipping the page he then busied himself with sketching out the two animals once again. Zanah said nothing as they slowly worked their way through the zoo, keeping her focus completely on her work. She'd noticed Dick's careful study of her, but had made no mention of it. It hadn't bothered her as the same kind of study might from someone else. Dick's watchful eyes were friendly and comforting rather than the cold and unnerving stare she had often been subjected to in the past.

Once she had finished her work Zanah looked up at him. "Thank you," she whispered, before kissing him briefly.

"No need, I was happy to come back," Dick replied. He glanced down at his watch and noted the time. "We should head back if we're going to make dinner."

Zanah nodded and shifted her sketchbook to the hand with her pencil. Dick took her other hand in his and led her out of the zoo, and back to his motorcycle. Releasing her hand he put the two drawing pads in his bag and slid onto the seat of his bike. Strapping on his helmet he brought the engine to life. Zanah put on her helmet and slipped onto the bike behind him. Throwing the bag over her shoulder she wrapped her arms around his waist and held on tight.

Upon arriving at the manor Dick took his sketchbook back to his room and then headed for the dining room. Zanah came in a moment later followed closely by Barbara. Zanah sat on his left and Barbara on his right. Bruce and Selina had yet to appear. The couple slipped into the room a few minutes later and sat down across from the trio. Zanah and Dick both noticed Bruce looked relaxed, rested and they were relieved.

"So, you wanted to talk to us?" Barbara prompted.

Selina looked at Bruce nervously and he squeezed her hand beneath the table in reassurance. "Yes," Bruce replied.

"What's up?" Dick questioned.

"Changes," Bruce replied vaguely.

"What kind of changes?" Zanah asked.

"Big changes," Bruce replied.

"Why?" Barbara asked.

"I'm pregnant," Selina whispered. She watched as anger and disgust flooded Barbara's features before calming.

Dick blinked not sure what to say.

Zanah nodded with understanding and smiled at her friend. "Congratulations," Zanah whispered breaking the awkward silence.

"Really?" Dick asked finding his voice.

"Yes," Bruce answered.

"Congratulations," Dick said echoing Zanah's reply.

"Thank you," Selina said.

"What are you going to do now?" Zanah asked.

"Get out of Daggett's path as fast as I can," Selina replied.

The group fell silent and once she was done eating Selina kissed Bruce before she withdrew heading upstairs to rest.

"How do you feel about this Bruce? Are you okay?" Dick asked worried about his friend.

"I'm okay with it. I never expected anything like this to happen. To be honest I never really thought I'd have anyone in my life. I expected to end up alone."

"And now?" Zanah asked.

"I'm happy."

"Then I'm happy for you," Dick said.

"What about Julie?" Barbara asked pointedly.

"Julie, and I would never have worked out."

"Why?"

"Neither of us really wanted the other. We were just settling," Bruce replied.

"Bruce…" Barbara began but fell silent when she was kicked under the table.

"Yes," he prompted.

"Nothing."

Bruce got up from the table and disappeared, heading up to his room to rejoin his wife.

"Give it a rest Babs, he's happy," Dick said.

"I still think…" she began.

"It doesn't matter what you think Barbara, he loves her and she makes him happy get over it. He deserves to be happy more than anyone I know," Dick snapped before getting up and leaving Zanah followed after him feeling something more had upset him than Barbara's comment. Somehow the issue was personal.

"You okay?" Zanah asked.

"Why can't she just let go, he's happy?" Dick asked.

"What did you mean by he deserves to be happy?" Zanah asked trying to figure out what was really upsetting him. She figured it related back to Barbara's being unwilling to let him go, but this particular comment was connected somehow.

"When he was little his parents were murdered in front of him. He's been alone his whole life. He gives more to this city than anyone and he asks for nothing in return."

"You told me before Bruce took you in. Why?"

"My family was murdered in front of me, he could sympathize."

"You thought you'd found your happiness with her and now she won't let you go so you can find it," Zanah said in understanding.

Dick said nothing; he just turned and looked at her. He nodded and then feeling to venerable he withdrew upstairs to his room. Zanah let it go, understanding his need to be alone. There were certain things about her own life she was unwilling to share, things that put him and the others in danger.

Rather than wait around to face off with Barbara again Zanah moved upstairs to her room.

Down the hall…

Bruce pulled Selina into his arms and kissed her forehead. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"She hates me," Selina whispered in reply.

"Don't worry about it. Barbara's opinion of you doesn't matter. She doesn't understand. I'll have to straighten this out."

"I know it shouldn't matter, but she's part of your extended family and she doesn't approve of me."

"She's worried I'm making a mistake. I just have to assure her I'm not. She'll come around, beside her opinion has little pull around here."

"Why?"

"Her choices of late have hurt my family," Bruce replied.

 Selina rest her head on his chest and closed her eyes as she pulled the quilt around her. She then closed her eyes listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

"It will be okay Selina, you'll see," Bruce whispered.

"I hope so," she purred before allowing herself to drift off to sleep. Bruce closed his eyes and was soon also asleep.